Angels Win With Second Straight Walk-Off, Less Painful Celebration Ensues

Anaheim, CA (Sports Network) - Howie Kendrick clubbed a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning, lifting Los Angeles to a 9-7 win over Seattle in the rubber match of a three-game series at Angel Stadium.

It was the second straight walk-off win for the Angels following Kendry Morales' game-deciding grand slam in the 10th on Saturday. Morales wound up fracturing his left leg when he jumped into a throng of teammates at home plate. The celebration on Sunday was more subdued.

Kendrick added a solo home run in the seventh for the Angels, who rallied from a five-run deficit to win for the fourth time in their last five games.

Hideki Matsui hit a two-run homer for Los Angeles, while starter Joe Saunders gave up seven runs on 10 hits and three walks in 4 1/3 innings. The come-from- behind win made a winner out of Fernando Rodney (4-0) after he tossed a scoreless ninth despite issuing a pair of walks.

Eliezer Alfonzo blasted a three-run homer and stroked an RBI single for the Mariners.

Seattle starter Ian Snell allowed three runs on four hits and four walks in four-plus innings.

"Snell really wasn't sharp most of the day," said Seattle manager Don Wakamatsu. "Little things cost you. Nine walks from our pitching staff. You can't allow that."

Down 7-2, LA slowly chipped away at its deficit against the Mariners' bullpen, beginning with a bases-loaded walk to Juan Rivera in the bottom of the fifth.

The Angels loaded the bases again in the sixth, and Kanekoa Teixeira walked Bobby Abreu to force in a run. A fifth run was scored on catcher's interference.

Kendrick homered to center field off Shawn Kelley to close the gap to 7-6, then helped to complete the comeback two innings later.

Seattle closer David Aardsma (0-3) walked Matsui to begin the ninth. After Rivera flied out to deep center, Mike Napoli hit a line drive back to Aardsma. The right-hander reached out with the glove but couldn't snag it, as the ball dropped in for an infield single. Kendrick then provided the dramatic finish with his blast to right-center.

"I thought it had a chance," Kendrick said. "I'm happy we got the win. To get a win like that against a pitcher like Aardsma is special. I wasn't thinking about yesterday (while running the bases). I'm happy we won. I just made sure I touched the plate and the umpire saw me. Then we celebrated."

The Angels jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning on Matsui's seventh home run of the season

Seattle got a run back in the next frame. Alfonzo singled softly to center with two outs, and the Mariners caught a break when Josh Wilson reached on an infield single after his batted ball deflected off the second base umpire, Brian Knight.

Ichiro Suzuki then lined an RBI single to center. Erick Aybar's relay throw from Reggie Willits to the plate was in time to nail Wilson.

Seattle scored three runs in both the fourth and fifth innings to create a little separation.

Consecutive one-out singles by Mike Sweeney and Jose Lopez preceded Alfonzo's two-out blast to left field. RBI singles by Casey Kotchman, Alfonzo and Wilson in the fifth made it 7-2 in favor of the visitors.

Kendrick recorded the second multi-homer game of his career...Knight eventually left after the third inning with an ankle injury...Suzuki finished 2-for-3 with two walks...It was the third blown save of the season for Aardsma...The Angels have won six of the last seven home games versus the Mariners...Aybar posted three hits and walked twice.